Canada’s largest and oldest international art fair is coming to Toronto next week with 105 exhibitors from across the country and around the world.
Art Toronto is making its way to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Oct. 29 and running until Nov. 1, 2026. According to organizers, the experience will bring a number of installations, curated programs, and a global lineup of galleries for all to explore.
Emily-Jean Alexander is taking the helm for her first edition of Art Toronto this fall. Under her leadership, the fair is placing a renewed focus on the future of art collecting in Canada.
There will also be a number of new initiatives, including the Ready to Collect Art Advisory Desk, Friday Emerging Collectors Evening and The Insider’s Eye at Art Toronto. These are all designed to make buying art more approachable and create new pathways into collecting.
“For my first Art Toronto, I wanted to think about what it means to build the future of an art fair, and for me, that starts with the next generation of collectors,” said Emily-Jean Alexander, Director of Art Toronto.
“Canada has extraordinary artists, galleries and institutions, but a strong art market also depends on people feeling that collecting is something they can participate in. This year is about opening that door wider: giving people the confidence to discover artists, talk to gallerists, buy their first work and begin relationships with art that can last a lifetime.”
What to expect at Art Toronto
Creativity in all its forms, Art Toronto brings a stacked lineup of programming such as:
- Opening Night Benefit: On Thursday, Oct. 29, Art Toronto kicks off with its annual Opening Night Benefit in support of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
- Edward Burtynsky’s The Vault Collection: Nicholas Metivier Gallery presents rare photographs spanning four decades of Burtynsky’s career and the world premiere of two of his new works
- 105 Galleries from Around the World: Modern and contemporary art from Canada and abroad, including 11 galleries participating in the returning Arte Sur section.
- Emerging Collectors Evening: On Friday, October 30, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., enjoy a special evening featuring DJs, cocktails and programming designed to introduce a new generation to art collecting.
- Art Beyond the Booth: Large-scale installations throughout the fair, including an immersive sound installation featuring 99 bells and works exploring the relationship between art and nature.
- New Ways to Start Collecting: Ready to Collect Art Advisory Desk offers personalized guidance for visitors interested in purchasing their first artwork, alongside a free digital learning program.
- Artist Talks and Expert-Led Tours: Hear from leading artists, collectors, curators, gallery owners, and explore the fair through guided tours.
If this sounds like the perfect weekend plan, you’ll want to get your tickets. Pricing starts at $30 for seniors and students and $40 for adults. Special ticket pricing is also available and can be purchased online.
The event will take place at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre – North Building, 255 Front St. W.
When: Thursday, Oct. 29 to Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
Time: First Look Opening Night: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Opening Night: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. | Public Days: Friday from noon to 9 p.m., Satuday from noon to 7 p.m., Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre – North Building, 255 Front St. W.
Cost: $30+
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Karen Doradea
Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.
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